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Sunday, December 12, 2010

My heartfelt thanks goes out to all of my blog readers
who encourage and inspire me to continue journaling
and sharing my quilting adventures...

I am grateful for the time you've taken to stop by
and for the countless comments that have been left on my blog posts.

Thank you so very much!

I am going to take a blogging break over the holiday season to spend some time traveling with my family. We will be spending the next few weeks in New York City where we are hoping to enjoy a white Christmas. Of course I have already marked the map with many must see local attractions (patchwork/fabric/yarn stores!). Should time and internet connection permit you may see me pop by here to show you what we've been up to.

77 comments:

Hi Rita,I hope that your have a fabulous time with your family, enjoy New York (I have never been there but woudl love to visit around Christmas time, I am sure it will all look so magical)I have very much enjoyed visiting your blog and reading all your goodies, keep it up, but enjoy your well deserved break!Merry Christmas to your and yours,

Rita, you are an amazing blogger! We should be thanking you for sharing with US! You are going to love NYC. Please please please come back with pics and stories from Purl Soho! I didn't know that place existed when I was there a couple years ago, or I would've gone myself. Have a blast and happy holidays! You deserve it :-).-michelle

NYC at this time of year is just wonderful. Everything is decked out for Christmas. Beautiful decorations!! I have some Christmas suggestions.Go to the Rockefeller Centre for the ice skating and gigantic Christmas tree and the most amazing decorations. Opposite is Saks of Fifth Ave. They have beautiful window displays. If you are there in the evening they have a lights and music show.If you have time go to the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. The year we were there they had live camels on stage as part of the nativity.That's just a few suggestions. Have fun!

If you like musicals, try to go see Wicked - awesome show! The fabric district is a lot of fun to walk around - the smaller the store, the better the prices! And don't miss Times Square - crowded but a lot of fun!! Safe travel!!

Oh if you are in Byrant Park make sure you go to Max's and get the most amazing hot chocolate on earth! You can skate there too. You have to stop into the City Quilter on 25th street too. Great fabric stores on 38th street too, but I'm sure you have figured all that out already. Have a great trip. Love your 2010 quilts!

you can go to Mood in the garment district - where they buy fabrics for project runway. Note that stores are often closed on weekends in the garment district.

Tinsel Trading: http://www.tinseltrading.com/index.php It is an extraordinary shop: ribbons, buttons, decorations. Here are some comments about the place: http://www.yelp.com/biz/tinsel-trading-new-york

Window shopping is great. Hit the main stores, including at night when all the lights are lit. Also, go to see the Antropologie store. Its a very popular chain of stores, and they always have unusual windows for the season. All major stores are beautifully decorated inside as well. Most, if not all, have special items for the holidays that aren't available online and are only available for the current holiday season. I have lots of stuff that I use only at this time of year and think of NY every time I use it.

One summer, my kids loved roller skating in Central Park with so many locals. Best idea ever, as we now always visit Central Park and do what New Yorkers do (always something going on). We also checked out the NY Times for what was going on locally. Here's an example (love the readers' suggestions and links to Frommers):

We once stayed in Battery Park for 2-3 weeks. Loved it for lots of reasons, including the walkways along the river, parks, local restaurants, some really beautiful buildings, marina, etc. Stayed there in summer, but I'm sure it's beautiful and dressed up in winter. My kids liked being able to see statue of liberty from our window.

Are you serious!?! You made 38 quilts this year??? Holy Cow! I've been thinking lately if I could make approximately that many quilts in a year. Sort of a challenge thing, I was thinking 1/wk. I bet you've found it pretty difficult or perhaps you would have, had you decided to do it ahead of time. If you have a minute, could you let me know how this worked?

We went with our family to NYC this spring and had a blast. I just enjoyed walking around - so much to see and so many people.

One thing I wish I had been to see was the Folk Art Museum - I hear they have a great quilt exhibit.

My kids loved the Statue of Liberty and Elis Island. My 5 year old threw the biggest tantrum when we had to leave "Lady Liberty." It would have been cute if it hadn't lasted a half hour. :) If you go pay a bit extra and get the audio tour, it is worth it.

have a wonderful Christmas in NYC, I would love to see the city sometime at this time of year. I don't have any recommendations as I have only been there once for a very short visit.I have enjoyed looking at your quilts so much and you have made your simply way of machine quilting so interesting to me that I am going to give it a try on a table topper that I am making my mother this week. I normal hand quilt everything but I am giving it a shot.Karenhttp://karensquilting.com/blog/

Wow seeing your work in photo galleries shows just how amazingly productive you are (and colourful!).

I adore NYC and try to go every few years. My must sees probably wouldn't be all that nice in Winter so I shall suggest the obvious- Ice Skating at the Rockefeller centre - so much fun! The Museum of Natural History is wonderful for kids and adults. The Cloisters is a hidden gem of a museum which would look beautiful under snow.

We just got back yesterday and especially enjoyed Bryant Park (they have a permanent artist fair in December along with ice skating and fantastic food vendors). We stayed near Times Square and ate at several restaurants... Tony's (family style italian with opera singing servers) and Trattoria Dopo Theatra (wonderful cozy italian) were both great, but our favorite was the Brooklyn Diner on west 43rd, best chicken pot pie I have ever had and the desserts were to die for, highly recommend. All three were a hit with our small children too :) oh, we also went to Lion Brand Yarn studio and of course Purl soho, both are definitely worth the visit!

Just across the street from Penn Station is the Hotel Pennsylvania, and in the lobby is Lindy's for the best NY cheesecake EVER! A must every time we go into the city! Also, you should always try and spend at least a couple hours in the Metropolitan Museum of Art....it's therapy! See a show, and there is a kiosk in Times Square to get 1/2 price matinee tickets...see anything...they are all good, especially musicals! For a little romance, a horse drawn carriage through Central Park is cozy, and window shopping in the evening is a must! Strolling the streets of midtown....fun!

There's great coffee at Stumptown and Gimme Coffee (there's one in Nolita, and another in Williamsburg, Brooklyn). If you go to Stumptown, make sure you take your cuppa and go sit in the lobby of Ace Hotel because it's got such a brilliant atmosphere.

Have loads of fun, make sure you have hats, scarves and gloves with you ALWAYS.

A store I went to while there was ABC home store. It's at 888 and 881 Broadway at E. 19th. It's VERY eclectic with everything from jewelry to chocolate to furniture to some clothes. Super cool place. Of course, you also have to go to Rockefeller center.

Have a great time in NY! Enjoy the rest from quilting, enjoy looking (purchasing?) more fabric and go back to Melbourne refreshed and ready to entertain all your Blog followers in 2011. I have loved reading your Blog for over a year now - always inspiring and such clear photos and thoughts. Thank you. Happy Christmas!

Aren't people wonderful giving all that advice? We're hoping to go to NYC at Easter, so just written it all down! Look forward to you blogging about the best places to go when you get back! Have a fantastic trip.

Wow, what an amazing feast of quilts this year, Rita - thanks for sharing them, you've been a real source of inspiration for me since I found your site. Have a very Merry Christmas in NYC - I've only been there at Easter but it's an amazing place at any time of year, I'm sure. Can't wait to see what 2011 will bring. Best wishes, Susanne

Have enjoyed your blog for a while now - enjoy your trip to NYC! Christmas is the best time to see the city - be sure to go to Macy's and see Lord and Taylor's windows. Our favorite restaurant is Crispo on 14th St (they have a website crisporestaurant.com so you can check out their menu).

Oh I so wish I were going to NY. It is my dream. I hope you post all about your trip so I can live vicariously through you. Have a very blessed and wonderful Christmas. And BTW what a full and wonderful year you have had with all the beautiful quilts to show for it.

Have a safe and enjoyable holiday, Rita. And I'll keep my fingers crossed for that white Christmas for you. Love all your beautiful quilts and even though you'll be gone for a while, I'm still going to browse your site for inspiration.

Enjoy your travels! You probably already have this on your must-see list, but do go to the American Folk Art Museum to see the Bird of Paradise quilt (http://www.folkartmuseum.org/?p=folk&t=images&id=1739). Truly drool-worthy!

Thank-YOU Rita for inspiring us every week with another gorgeous quilt! Your work is amazing and your blog is definitely one of my very most favoritists. Have a great time. Enjoy a well-deserved break!

You MUST go see/do/eat:1) FAO Schwartz (toy store from Home Alone)2) Ice skating @ Wollman rink in Central Park (it is wayyyyy better than Rockefeller Center)3) Macy's on 34th street4) Walk down 5th avenue5) Visit the Plaza hotel and buy yourself one of the gorgeous Christmas ornaments they have

Have fun and enjoy! I will be enjoying my Christmas in NY as well and hope that the weather is great!

You have had a busy year - amazing when you see all the quilts in one spot!We are also heading to NY this weekend, so am looking at all the comments with interest. Two years ago the weather was such a shock (very cold!) but we just loved it. Perhaps I'll bump into you in one of those many fabric haunts.Merry Xmas and happy travels, Alison

The Shake Shack in Madison Square Park is awesome. Get the peanut butter, chocolate, and banana custard shake in addition to a burger and fries. You will wait in a long line, but it will be SO WORTH IT!

I live in NYC and am always recommending CHEAP/FREE things for friends and family to do. Here's my TOP 5:

1) The Staten Island Ferry. FREE. Takes you from the South Street Seaport to Staten Island, and you can take it right back over. You get AMAZING views of NYC and the statue of Liberty, and it's much cheaper than one of the tourist cruises. Runs night and day, and takes about 50 minutes each way. They sell beer, snacks and hot chocolate, and the SIF is definitely my first rec. to every visitor.

2) Chinatown/SOHO: Chinatown is amazing to walk around and shop for scarves, bags, trinkets, etc. They have bustling fish markets, vegetable carts with exotic who-knows-what, and roasted ducks hanging in shop windows. Go an a weekday as it's wall-to-wall people on weekends. Eat at the hole-in-the-wall NICE GREEN BO on Baxter Street. Be sure to try the soup dumplings. Food is excellent and super-cheap. Across the street is the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory for dessert! From Chinatown, walk up Broadway to SOHO, where you'll find loads of great fabric stores (including Purl) and shopping.

3. Museums: They're all great, but the MET and Museum of Natural History have suggested ticket prices, meaning you can pay $2 and get in. Amazing.

4. Empire State Building: This one isn't cheap, but the views are out of control on a clear day. Worth it.

5. 42nd Street: Walk 42nd street from East to West one day. You'll pass lots of landmarks like the UN Building, Tudor City, The Ford Foundation (that has a cool, open-to-the-public indoor jungle/garden), the Chrysler Building, Grand Central (eat at the Oyster Bar inside), Bryant Park (ice skating), the NYPL, then keep going and you hit Times Square!

Feel free to email if you (or any of you) would like more recommendations!

Wow -- what a productive and beautiful year -- you're amazing! And you LUCKY LUCKY girl -- I LOVE NYC at Christmas time. Must go see the tree at Rockefeller Center and the Macy's Santa is really fun. Also don't know if anyone mentioned Gray Line Linen -- they're on 38th or 39th -- otherwise I think my favorites have been mentioned. Have a FABULOUS time!!!

When you visit Purl Patchwork I also suggest Pearl River Mart around the corner part way down Mercer. (Also an entry on Broadway.) I just discovered it this year (http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/2010/07/feild-trip-friday-pearl-river-market.html). It's a Chinese import store and full of beautiful (and cheap) goodies, including oil cloth fabric.

I am new to the blog world and found yours through another blog. I am amazed by the beautiful quilts you have made and so much enjoy your musings. Have a safe and blessed holiday. Thanks for your inspirations.

I have been a long time lurker and have loved reading your blog - it's always very inspiring for me! Have a great holiday in New York - I hope you got out before the blizzard hit?!?! If not, I hope you stayed inside and warm! When we're in NYC we love to go to the St. Regis Hotel and sit in front of their big picture window just off the lobby (it's in a sort of private room and it's for anyone to use) and sip hot cocoa...we people watch and rest our feet - plus this time of year the hotel usually has a lovely tree in there! Go, sit, relax...you'll thank me! Happy New Year! xo, Nan